By Boris Mellor
February 1 2006

"Arsène Wenger is set to welcome back four experienced internationals for the visit of West Ham on Wednesday. Gilberto (calf), Thierry Henry (hamstring), Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires (both rested) are all back after missing Saturday’s FA Cup exit at Bolton." Quote from Arsenal.com.

Sure it will be good to see Henry back, and Bergkamp is a loyal servant, but do Gilberto and Pires deserve there places back? Hasn’t the midfield against Bolton earned another chance, but with Henry and RvP up front? Fabregas is now sitting out his last match suspension. Of course without Reyes (also suspended) then Pires should be the suitable replacement.

Arsenal’s injury woe continues and Wenger will be without six senior defenders for the West Ham game after Lauren joined a list that includes Ashley Cole (thigh), Gael Clichy (foot), Pascal Cygan (hamstring), Emmanuel Eboue and Kolo Toure (both African Nations Cup). Lauren has a swollen knee and is likely to be out for a month.

Perhaps on the bright side it means we can play the same back four as at Bolton. We need some stability at the back. Senderos is not an attacking full back, but Gilbert is. With Henry and RvP together there should be goals to be had.

As for the game itself I don’t believe the bollox about the Hammers being an attacking team. They flooded the midfield at Upton Park. No doubt they will look for a quick goal and then get behind the ball hoping for a break. So it’s important Arsenal don’t slip up early on.

With Spurs suffering a 90 minute defeat at Fulham this is a must win game. A victory will prove that Wenger’s claim that he can grasp the 4^th spot is not hot air. Being out of the cup could be a blessing

Finally good luck to Quincy in his new club. I think the Cardiff game and the new buys convinced Wenger that there was no immediate future for the lad. With Walcott, Adebayor, RvP, Henry and Reyes in the squad how many chances would he get?